HONG KONG -- Air France and Delta Air Lines are considering a bid for a stake in Thai Airways through their embryonic alliance.

The alliance, which is to be named and formally established early next year, still lacks an Asian member. But Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, president and chief executive officer of Air France, said in an interview in Hong Kong that the group may compete with the rival Star and OneWorld airline alliances for a 23% stake in Thai Airways that the Thai government plans to sell next year.